In 2009 Joan Richardson discussed an idea with some local people to prepare an exhibition at St Hilda’s church. The agreed theme, “Bygones of Bilsdale”, was to depict Bilsdale over the last hundred years with artifacts, memorabilia and flowers.
27 different themes were agreed and small groups started to research their topics. Some useful information was taken from “Bygone Bilsdale” published by the Bilsdale Study Group in 1992.
The exhibition took place from 29th to 31st May, 2010. It was a great success with more than 1000 people visiting the church and over £2,000 was raised for church funds.
The main headings for the exhibition were:
The contributors are listed below:
Tea in the Hayfield - Dory Read
Bilsdale Forges and Jet Mining - John Rees
Bilsdale Midcable Primary School - school children & teachers
The Inkerman Free Gift - Colin Harrison
Font Flowers - Margaret Brown, Kath Callen and Anne Ford
Christenings - Katherine Smith
Observer Corps - Dory Reed
Rememberance - Davina Barker
Milk Production - John and Freda Hunwick & Vicki Bowker
Sheep Production - John and Freda Hunwick & Vicki Bowker
Corn Mills - Roy Barker
St Hilda’s Altar - Doris Atkinson
Authors and Poets - Joan Richardson
Sunday School - Jill Cunningham
Bilsdale Brides - Margaret Harrison
Bilsdale Hunt - Carol McGee
Chop Gate Cricket Club - George Cook
Flowers - Joan Richardson
Vestments and Vicars - Anne Rees
Altar Flowers - Margaret Brown, Kath Callen and Anne Ford
Bilsdale Silver Band - Ida Atkinson
Churchwardens - Past and Present - Jeffrey Richardson
Flowers in memory of Ruth Scott - Dory Reed
Weddings - Carol McGee
Bilsdale Agricultural Show - Ruby Garbutt & Sue Barker
People of Bilsdale - Margaret Harrison
The Bennison Family - Margaret Harrison
Old Maps and Surveys - Malcolm Bowes
Published: 04 2015 (Updated: 26 2022)